The Role of Quality Assurance Specialist in CMMI

Rich Hefner, Director of Process Initiatives, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Networking Dinner @ 5:45; Bootcamp @ 6:15; Business @ 6:45; Program @ 7:00 PM

at Countrywide, 2900 Madera, Simi Valley, CA 93065

The Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) provides a collection of industry best practices for software and systems engineering and management. This presentation discusses the role of the quality assurance specialist in implementing the CMMI practices. As an organization matures, the value of QA changes, and the QA specialist's role and skills must evolve to keep pace. A brief overview of the model will be given, followed by an in-depth examination of the CMMI QA requirements across all maturity levels. Contrast with traditional QA activities will be discussed.

Dr. Rick Hefner is the Director of Process Initiatives at Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman has been an industry leader in CMMI adoption. Sixteen Northrop Grumman organizations have been externally appraised at CMMI Level 5. Dr. Hefner has over 25 years of experience in software and systems development, research, and management, and has served in industrial, academic, and government positions. He has over 80 presentations. Dr. Hefner is one of the authors of the CMMI, an SEI-authorized Instructor and Lead Assessor, and a Six Sigma Black Belt and trainer.